Across all biological sciences, technological advances result in more ambitious projects and larger data sets. Launched in 2016, this practical, laboratory-based course will demonstrate how to take common immunological techniques to the next level by combining them with semi-automated and automated analysis methods and using appropriate statistical analysis pipelines. The course is aimed at PhD students and postdocs who would like to get more out of the experiments they perform and make sure their data analysis has a sound basis.

Participants will receive training in immunological phenotyping and will gain hands-on experience in a number of immunological techniques suitable for large-scale phenotyping. Using the data generated during the course, we will explore manual, semi-automated and automated analysis approaches and relevant statistics for different data sets and discuss benefits and challenges. All experiments will be conducted on samples from a knockout mouse strain which the participants will identify at the end of the course.

The programme will cover a number of
tests that are conducted routinely by 3i under high-throughput
conditions and discuss the best way to analyse and interpret the data.

This was an excellent course and I am happy I had the opportunity to attend!

Thanks to all instructors and course organisers. The course exceeded my expectations - I learned a lot.

Thank you to all the organisers, instructors and speakers for a fantastic experience.

Overall, the course was a fantastic experience and was very interesting and scientifically useful. Considering the course was in its first year I was impressed by the level of organisation.

The course was really well organised and I profited a lot from it, especially due to the interactions with other people, both with participants and instructors!

Scientific and collaborative background to the courseMGP generates and phenotypes knockout mice, most of which were generated by the International Knockout Mouse Consortium. For each mutant line, groups of seven male and seven female mice move through a standard analysis pipeline aimed at detecting traits that differ from healthy C57BL/6N mice. The pipeline collects many measurements of viability, fertility, body weight, infection, hearing, morphology, haematology, behaviour, blood chemistry and immunity and compares them to wild type controls. An overview over the first 250 lines has been published in Cell by White and al. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23870131). Currently, MGP phenotypes 160 knockout lines a year.

Given the large number of immune-related phenotypes, it was decided to subject these 160 knockout lines to an immunological phenotyping and the 3i consortium was formed to this end in 2013. 3i conducts an in-depth immunological screen in the steady state and under challenge. The consortium analyses the immune cell compartments of spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood and serum in order to identify genes regulating the immune system in the absence of challenge. Furthermore 3i investigates responses to chemical stress (DSS colitis) and to viral, bacterial and nematode infections (Salmonella, influenza and Trichuris muris). Data from both the MGP and the 3i screen are open-access and are publicly available on the 3i website (www.immunophenotype.org) and the website of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (www.mousephenotype.org), an overarching international initiative.

The programme will include lecture and practical laboratory/computer-based sessions covering the following topics:

PrerequisitesThe course is aimed at PhD students, postdocs or clinicians conducting relevant research. Please note: The
course assumes participants will have some basic experience and knowledge of
immunology including fundamentals of flow cytometry and FlowJo analysis.CostThe
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and there is a fee of £760 towards board and lodging for non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Additional limited bursaries are available (up to 50%
of the course fee) and are awarded on merit. Please see the "Bursaries"
tab for details.

ApplicationsApplications for this course can be completed online. If you have any problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications
must be supported by a recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor or head of department). A request for a supporting
statement will be sent to your nominated sponsor automatically during
the application process. Applicants must ensure that their sponsor
provides this supporting statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting statement cannot be considered.

DeadlinesClosed

Travel visasPlease contact the
event organiser if you require a letter to support a travel visa
application. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed attendees.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a visa to enter the UK. Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:UK Border Agency website and information for general visitors and business visitors.

CostThe
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and
Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a residential
course and there is a fee of £760 towards board and lodging for non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

BursariesAdvanced Courses are subsidised for non-commercial applicants from anywhere in the world. Additional, limited bursaries are
available (up to 50% of the course fee) and are awarded on merit. If you would like to apply for a
bursary, please complete the bursary section of the online application
form.

Please note that both the applicant
and sponsor are required to provide a justification for the
bursary as part of the application.

Bursary terms and conditions

UK Courses (held at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge)A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded by the selection committee according to merit. The bursary
covers a maximum of 50% of the course fee, though in exceptional
circumstances an application for the total course fee may be considered.
Where there are many bursary applications, the selection committee may
issue smaller amounts. We cannot assist with travel costs to attend UK courses.

Overseas Courses (held outside of the UK)A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance. The
maximum award for travel (economy class) will be £750.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form. Applicants
will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on the
course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The decision of the selection committee is
final.